What are the current waiting times and procedures at Bangkok Immigration for visa extensions?

Apr 4, 2023
2 years ago
Bennett ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all. FYI, at Bangkok Immigration today, 4 April, they stayed open past normal hours to accommodate the large crowd. My husband went this morning for extension on his research visa, there were a lot of people, his ticket had a very high number. By 4:30pm, the normal closing time, there were still 100 people ahead of him. Long story short - they stayed open late. He got his visa done by 6:30pm, & they were still open. Can’t say if this will continue until Songkran, but just a heads up. And don't forget they're closed on Thursday, 6 April.

(My thought was that they wouldn’t just keep handing out tickets & make you sit there all day if they were unable to to complete them. Seems that was the case.)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shared their experience at Bangkok Immigration on April 4, noting that the office stayed open past regular hours due to high demand, allowing visa applications to be processed until 6:30pm. Comments from others indicate that while waiting times can be long, the immigration office typically accommodates everyone who gets a ticket before 3:30pm. Tips were offered, such as making appointments online to reduce wait times. Concerns were also raised about potential delays in other locations, like Trat Immigration, especially during peak periods such as Songkran.
Gary **********
Isn’t it a fact that workers , all workers, in Thailand do not get overtime pay? Then that’s a reason for remembering to respect these wonderful neighbors even more.
Alex *******
Any idea if it’s the same at Trat Immigration? I want to do a few weeks in BKK then a few weeks on an island, extending the visa along the way. If Bangkok’s a lot slower I’ll make sure I do the extension in Trat.
Bennett ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ah, we moved to Bangkok about 18 months ago, mid-pandemic. From these comments, it's clear that the relatively quick turnaround we've experienced at immigration was simply a lull. Seems that lull is over!
Mike ********
I wonder how many got to the imo and were rejected for something or other ?
Nick ************
Scan this to make an appointment at any office.
Jeremy ********
This reminds me of the pre-covid world and going to CW in the morning and leaving at 1900 hours…good times
Lyndon ************
Get an appointment online before and cutout most of that waiting time
Mark ********
They always take care of everyone, as long as you get a ticket before 15:30.
Bennett ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark *******
Had no idea - first time I've experienced this.
Mark ********
@Bennett *******
We are lucky they do this. I can never make it until 15:00. First time I was waiting, I thought I had made the trip for nothing.
Bennett ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark *******
Agree! We kept wondering how they would fit everyone in. Grateful that we didn’t have to go back again.
Liz ******
Was at bkk immigration last Wednesday got my que number at 10:45am had 104 people In front of me was finally seen at 6:05p
Chris ****
@Liz *****
what was the reason for such a long wait? Did you have to return to that specific office?
Liz ******
@Tea **********
yes bkk is where my visa is tied to so that’s where I had to go. They said it’s like that all the time now
Wilhelmina ********
Yeah, it happens when needed. But, they do stop handing out queue tickets on time, then finish everyone.
Bennett ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wilhelmina *******
First time I’ve seen it. I assume at some point during the day they must have cut off the tickets
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